Race Recap: Simply MOrvelous and Tampa Bay Derby Upset

Enjoying the ride

Welcome back, Champ. Uncle Mo picked up right where he left off in 2010 and dominated what seemed like nothing more than a scheduled birthday workout. He broke slowly from the gate but quickly regained control and set a rather pedestrian pace of 25.53 though the first quarter and 49.58 through the half-mile. Around the far turn, Uncle Mo and Rattlesnake Bridge drew off from the rest of the pack and RB battled to even footing with the champ. Mo was done playing with the neighborhood kids. He jumped down the rest of the track and did little more than wave goodbye finishing his last quarter in a scorching 22 4/5.

This was exactly what the trainers and owners wanted. Uncle Mo showed us that he can slow the pace down (even though he was on the lead) and still have everything left for the stretch run. This was the perfect step for him to keep progressing to Kentucky. Also, I wouldn’t worry about the non-Uncle Mo like Beyer of 89 as he has already shown that he can run much faster and thundered down the stretch when asked drawing off by 4 lengths.

Race Results

Uncle Mo $2.10 $2.10 $2.10

Rattlesnake Bridge $2.20 $2.20

Gallant Dreams $3.00

$2 1-6 Exacta – $4.00, $1 1-6-2 Trifecta – $11.00

In the other big Florida race this weekend, Brethren was humbled in the Tampa Bay Derby as we thought he might be. However, we had no idea that it would be done by two extreme longshots in Watch Me Go and Crimson Knight. Watch Me Go and Crimson Knight passed Brethren at the top of the stretch and battled neck and neck through the wire. They provided drama and huge payouts across the board. Oddly, neither were nominated to the Triple Crown but it would not surprise us if the owners of Watch Me Go get Derby fever. Time will only tell what this means for Brethren; however, many detractors will say that this only confirms that he is not fast enough to be a top-level 3-year-old.

Watch Me Go $89.4o $29.20 $8.80

Crimson Knight $50.00 $11.80

Brethren $2.10

$2 9-6 Exacta – $2194.20, $1 9-6-10 Trifecta – $7935.20

Congrats to all of the winners and their connections. Next up, the Rebel Stakes in Arkansas on Saturday.